By Edwin Philip
Nigerians have been call to treat pensioners with dignity because of their selfless dedication in serving humanity in their various spheres of influence, using their productive years positively for the building of an egalitarian society.
The call was made by Mr. Emmanuel Umbugadu, Director of Finance and Account of the Nasarawa State Pension Board, shortly after receiving an award of recognition as an administrative Icon, Philanthropist gestures and peace advocacy in Nasarawa State, Middle belt and Nigeria at large.
The award of recognition was given to him by members of the Middle Belt Media Practitioners of Nigeria, in conjunction with the Coalition of Civil Society Organization under the leadership of Citizens Right in his office in Lafia, the Nasarawa State capital.
He said ” I want to dedicate this award to our Elder-statemen in Nasarawa State. They have contributed the useful part of their lives in the service of their fatherland and are now vulnerable to so many other things. That is why am trying to do everything possible to ensure that we do not offend them, we deal with them just as an egg, that’s how I feel any reasonable person should handle an elderstateman”.
According to him, even though he is doing his work passionately, he did not expect any certificate of recommendation because as a person he does not think he is doing anything that is worth commending.
‘I am a shy type, am always trying to shy away from such awards, my not wanting to see you was deliberate, I just asked who am I, what contribution have I been doing in this place that is worth an award of this magnitude, deliberately I have been avoiding such awards and you got me by surprise today by coming unannounced, I don’t know the yardstick you used and whatever it is I want to thank you for your assessment.
“Consequently, award of this magnitude, if your assessment is true, we are trying our best but we thought nobody was noticing what we were doing, you are not residing here to be able to come up with this assessment, the assessment even from my own is almost correct” he said.
” I will be the first to come and the last to go, am actually dedicated to my work because I have to be reckoned with on the last day when I will be ask what have I been doing with the responsibility that was given to me” he added.
Umbugadu however added that anywhere he finds himself, he tried to put in his best to the service of humanity, acknowledging that God has given him such an opportunity to exhibit his capabilities such as strength, wisdom, resilience and commitment.
He thanked the organisation for finding him worthy to merit all that warranted the award, urging other colleagues in the civil and public service to put in their best in serving humanity through their works because their reward will come from the people, society and God.
On his part, the representative of the Middle Belt Media Practitioners of Nigeria, Mr. Emmanuel Angur, said his organisation had taken note of the dedication of Mr. Umbugadu to service to humanity both in private and public life, to serve as an example to others to motivate them to their best.